Attitude and Empowerment as Predictors Of Self-Reported Self-Care and A1C Values among African Americans With Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of end stage renal disease among African Americans. The complications associated with diabetes can largely be reduced with effective diabetes self-management. Selected variables were tested as predictors of self-reported self-care, and self-reported self-care was tested as a predictor of A1C among 100 African-American individuals with diabetes. Participants scored high on their understanding of diabetes, its treatment, and engagement in self-care activities, but this was not reflected in their body mass index levels or A IC values.

Male nurses and chemical dependency: masterminding the nursing environment.

Florida men in nursing who are chemically dependent represent a greater percentage of the total number of male nurses than female nurses who are chemically dependent. This study identifies characteristics of 9 men who completed the Florida Intervention Project for Nurses. All participants were interviewed independently and data were analyzed to determine common themes in their behaviors and relationships and how they successfully manipulated professional nursing systems to remain professionally active for prolonged period of time while impaired. A model of caring for nurses with professional impairment graphically depicted the interaction of 2 overarching themes of person and profession. The person theme had 3 subthemes of predetermined risk, altered values, and sensation-seeking behaviors. The profession theme had 6 subthemes of masterminding, professional heteronomy, getting caught, rehabilitation, spirituality, and the nurse becoming the nursed. Findings imply that chemical dependency among male nurses starts in childhood in an abusive family environment and continues throughout the educational process and into the work environment. Findings supporting diversion success include a lack of awareness of the signs and symptoms of impairment by supervisors, poor compliance to drug control procedures, and a common acceptance by peers that impaired men are clinically competent and clinical leaders. When these 3 situations are present, there is greater success in masterminding daily events to maintain undetected drug access.